Hangers

Hanger #1

“And you will love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

(a) Define the term being reffered to. (3 marks)

Berit is an agreement, a covenant, a representation of the relationship between God and man
The covenant between God and Jews is the basis for the idea of the Jews as the chosen people. The covenant is a reward for their faith.
In return God would guide them and protect them and lead them in the right direction.
God didn't just want the Jews to follow a particular set of laws, but to live their lives in such a way as to show the world that God actually was the one and only all-powerful God, whom people should follow and worship.
In a berit, both the chosen people and YHVH agree to a set of obligations toward the other.
God enters into a relationship with the people he has created and announces his real presence

(b) How does one strengthen their relationship with YHWH? (7 marks)

People are not simply passive objects of divine grace and are therefore called to responsibility and partnership, having to work at their salvation by the way they lead their lives.
The covenant is regarded as unbreakable, even though man often fails to meet God’s requirements.
Jewish people can strengthen their covenant by following God’s law, or reading the Torah. In rabbinic tradition, the Torah is said to have been given to the people as a “means of purifying themselves.”
Jews must also strive to follow the 613 commandments, compromising of 365 negative prohibitions and 248 positive commandments. Following the 613 commandments is seen as respect and devotion to YHVH.
Learning, in Judaism, is a religious duty and ideal that applies to all scholars. It is the task of Jews to attend religious school and to learn from rabbinical scholars.
Young Jews devote themselves to God at the age of 13 by having a bat-mitzvah. It is there that they are presented into the community and commit themselves to following the law.
Prayer is seen as speaking toGod, as an expression of supplication and gratitude.

Hanger #2

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" Deuteronomy 6:4

(a) What is the above quotation referring to? (3 marks)

It refers to the Shema which is the statement of belief that expresses the Jewish people's faith and love for God. The shema is the creed/statement of belief in Judaism that expresses the Jewish peoples' ardent faith in and love of God
It is also the central prayer in the Jewish prayerbook and is usually the first line of Scripture that Jewish children learn.
It is so central to the Jewish faith that it is recited daily at morning and evening services.
It is a mitzvah to recite the Shema at least twice per day.

(b) How does a faithful Jew assert their belief in the Shema in their daily life? (7 marks)

Belief in Monotheism
They live in accordance to God's will in preparation for the second coming of the Messiah.
Since the Shema reaffirms the basic tenets of Jewish faith, it is important to hear clearly what one is saying. The Shema may be said while standing or sitting. The Jews of Israel used to stand to show the Shema's importance and to demonstrate that saying Shema is an act of testifying in God (testimony in a Jewish court is always given while standing).
They observe the laws of the mitzvot and abide by them.
They hang a mezzuzah on the door of their homes to remind themselves of God's daily presence in their lives.
They attend synagogue, fast and pray in ritual celebrations such as Yom Kippur. Also, it is important to keep kosher, following God's instruction.
The Kaddish: a prayer of mourning which shows that despite loss, Jews still praise God.
They recite the Kedushah: a prayer which affirms God's sanctity and the magnitude of His reign.
They keep shabbat in order to rest and reflect on God and the blessings He has given them. In doing this, they are also studying the Torah.